Meijer Gardens Acquires Major Work by Richard Serra

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is honored to announce the acquisition and permanent siting of a major piece by the eminent American sculptor, Richard Serra.

The sculpture, Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations, is a site-specific work and has been the focal point of significant research, furthering Fred Meijer's vision and desire to build a collection of sculpture of international significance.

"Meijer Gardens has long been committed to the opportunity to introduce a work by Richard Serra- one of the most acclaimed and influential sculptors of our time- to the collection," said Joseph Becherer, vice president and chief curator at Meijer Gardens.

Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations is composed of four large, weathering, forged-steel blocks placed at equal intervals in the hillside and valley in the very heart of the Sculpture Park.

Serra visited Meijer Gardens last fall to review the site and specifically place and orient each of the blocks in the landscape.

"The sculpture is sited so that the four blocks are set on the same contour equal distance apart in an arc so as to frame the pond," explained Richard Serra.

According to the artist, placement of the four elements, and the relationship of the objects to the surrounding space, is critical to the work both physically and intellectually.

"Far more than four measurable steel blocks, the work is about our perceptions of a space that, in this specific instance, is the entire hillside," described Becherer. "Most works of sculpture are about the measureable object or the object in space, but Serra pushes the boundaries of sculpture to help the viewer perceive the entirety of space."

Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations will be unveiled on May 14th. A special open house will be held for media from 1-3 p.m. The site will be open for video and photography and Joseph Becherer will be available for interview.

The acquisition of Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations was made possible through the generosity of Fred and Lena Meijer. It was facilitated through Serra's primary gallery, Gagosian Gallery.

"It is always inspiring when an important work of art is permanently sited in a public context," said Larry Gagosian, owner and director of Gagosian Gallery. "We have appreciated the thoughtfulness with which Meijer Gardens has approached the re-siting project and we feel that it has been a very successful experience."

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Images available upon request.

About Richard Serra

Richard Serra (b. 1939, San Francisco, CA) expressed an interest in art from childhood. He went on to study literature at the University of California at Santa Barbara and later earned his M.F.A. at Yale University. To earn money for his education, he worked in local steel mills-an experience that would greatly inform his future sculptural repertoire. Serra's early work focused on an array of materials ranging from rubber to molten lead and the manipulation of those materials. After controversy surrounding the commission of Tilted Arc, Serra's critical acclaim broadened and exhibition and installation opportunities came from across Europe and the United States. His sculptures were acquired for the most prestigious and private collections across the globe. He has been the subject of many exhibitions at prominent museums including Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Serpentine Gallery.

About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

One of the world's most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park serves more than a 550,000 visitors annually. Meijer Gardens was recently ranked in the top 100 most-visited art museums worldwide by "Art Newspaper," the leading publication in global art news. The 132-acre grounds feature Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; one of the largest children's gardens in the country; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Degas and Rodin; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens; and a 1900-seat outdoor amphitheater, featuring an eclectic mix of world-renowned musicians every summer. The internationally acclaimed Sculpture Park features a Permanent Collection including works by Rodin, Oldenburg, Moore, Bourgeois and Plensa, among others. Indoor galleries host changing sculpture exhibitions with recent exhibitions by Picasso, Degas, di Suvero, Borofsky, Calder and Dine.